The CEO's Road to Regret

I am what everyone calls the daughter of a domineering CEO.

I transmigrated into a book, becoming the baby girl who died at birth in a霸道总裁 story.

The moment I gained consciousness, I realized that man had already cut open my mother's womb, taking my umbilical cord blood to save his one true love.

According to the original plot, the child died because she was premature. But who would have thought I'd be born with memories from my past life?

Now lying in an incubator, I cursed him ten thousand times in my head... They say women have the cruelest hearts, but looking at it now, that title belongs to that man.

After three days in the incubator, I finally saw my gentle, helpless mother coming to visit me.

"Baby, I'm sorry. It's Mommy's fault. I couldn't protect you." Claire clutched her abdominal wound, crying behind the glass, her face streaked with tears.

I waved my tiny hands and babbled back at her, then began sorting through the story's plot.

This was a melodramatic, angsty novel I'd read a long time ago.

The male lead, Sebastian, was saved by Claire as a child and never forgot her.

Unfortunately, the bracelet he gave her was found by her stepsister, Vivian. He mistakenly believed that the grown-up Vivian was the one he'd been searching for all along.

As for why he didn't even leave a name—well, the author deliberately created that misunderstanding for the angst.

After their tearful reunion scene, Sebastian forced Claire to be with him to save Vivian, whose condition was worsening. He needed a child whose cord blood could cure his one true love.

Because of the premature birth, the child died as soon as she was taken from the operating table.

Devastated by the loss of her daughter, Claire lost all will to live and jumped into a river. But fate had other plans.

After Claire's supposed death, Sebastian realized he truly loved her. He used all his resources, vowing to find her alive or dead.

Thus began a mindless, nauseating journey of begging for his wife's forgiveness.

Readers were moved by Sebastian's later obsessive, crazy devotion and demanded the author give them a reunion. So the female lead forgave him, and they lived happily ever after.

Now I couldn't help but reflect—how did I ever read such a morally bankrupt novel?

Just as I was questioning my life choices, I saw Sebastian carrying Claire away, his face expressionless, not even glancing at me.

His coldness made me laugh. A man who could harm his own flesh and blood didn't deserve any so-called redemption.

If I could, I'd send him straight to the crematorium.

My health improved day by day. Claire stayed by my side constantly, afraid something might happen to me.

The day I left the incubator, Sebastian, unable to bear Vivian's guilt, deliberately sent Claire away so he could take me to cheer Vivian up.

"Darling, so this is the baby who saved me!" Vivian took me from the servant, putting on a gentle act.

But I knew—she pinched my thigh hard.

I screamed in pain.

Sebastian didn't care. He thought it was just normal baby crying.

"Vivian, she's getting better, so don't feel guilty. If it weren't for you, she wouldn't even be in this world." He looked at her with concern, unmoved by my cries.

"Thank you, Sebastian."

Just as they were lost in their little world, Claire burst in and snatched me from Vivian's arms.

She patted my back gently, soothing me. "Baby, don't cry. Mommy's here."

I couldn't hold back anymore. Tears streamed down my face. So this is what it felt like to be protected.

I slowly calmed down in her arms.

"Claire, I just wanted to thank the baby. Don't overthink it." Vivian quickly explained, hiding behind Sebastian.

Sebastian immediately let go of Vivian, looking awkward. "Vivian felt guilty about the baby, so she wanted to see her. I forgot to tell you."

Claire didn't say a word, but her disappointment in Sebastian was clear. She shot him a glance and turned to leave.

I watched Sebastian chase after her, finding him utterly annoying.

The only way now was to make Claire completely give up on him and take me away. Otherwise, I couldn't escape Vivian's clutches—I might not even survive.

When Claire took me back to the hospital room, she noticed the large bruises on my legs while changing my clothes.

Furious, she stormed up to Sebastian and demanded, "What did you do to my child?"

Thinking he was being misunderstood, Sebastian shot me a cold glance and snapped at Claire, "Kids get bumps and bruises all the time. Claire, are you going to blame me for that?"

Seriously? Was this man even human?

Claire let out a cold laugh, then carried me straight to the discharge desk. She wasn't trusting anyone anymore.

Because of me, the rift between the leads grew wider.

To make Claire completely lose hope in Sebastian, I cried every time I saw him—so much that I ended up in the hospital every few days.

Sebastian grew to dislike me even more.

By then, he was already falling for Claire, and he resented me for stealing all her attention.

"Baby, do you not like Daddy?"

Claire asked casually, never expecting me to grab her hand and blink hard.

She stared at me in shock.

In my eyes, no one in this world was normal—the female lead who always forgave the male lead, the blind and foolish male lead, and the sickeningly sweet villainess.

I was just a hardworking office worker in my past life. What did I do to deserve this?

Claire hesitated, but everything changed when I caught severe pneumonia due to the nanny's negligence.

In the middle of the night, I cried uncontrollably from discomfort.

Claire, a light sleeper, woke up instantly. She felt my forehead and panicked. "Baby, why are you so hot?"

She frantically called Sebastian, but instead heard Vivian's voice on the other end.

In the dead of night, alone together—this male lead was truly disgusting.

Claire hung up, crying as she carried me out, forgetting she was still in her pajamas.

In the taxi, she held me tightly, sobbing. "Yvonne, please be strong. Mommy only has you."

I wanted to comfort her, but the illness hit too hard. I lost consciousness.

The next day, after I was out of danger, Sebastian finally showed up—with Vivian in tow.

He didn't ask if I was okay. Instead, he immediately blamed Claire for not taking care of herself.

Looking at me in the hospital bed, he frowned. "Since this child is so sickly, maybe we should send her abroad to recover. Once she's better, we can bring her back."

"Sebastian, if you dare send her away, you can start planning my funeral." Claire picked me up, her voice cold.

Claire truly loved me. Seeing Sebastian's growing disdain, she feared he might actually send me away. So she started planning our escape.

The day I was supposed to be sent away, Claire asked Sebastian to hold me.

"Sebastian, just hold her once."

Though annoyed, he took me from her.

To avoid any complications, I forced myself to stay still in his arms. But his terrible holding technique made me uncomfortable.

After he left, Claire took me to the airport.

Before parting, she kissed my forehead and smiled. "Yvonne, wait for Mommy. I'll come for you soon."

Growing up in an orphanage in my past life, I experienced a mother's unconditional love for the first time. I clung to her hand, crying my heart out.

I was already an anomaly in this world. I was terrified she might abandon me too.

Afraid I'd choke on my tears, she gave me a shot. When I woke up, I was in a small village, left in the care of an elderly couple.

I waited a month before Claire finally arrived, covered in injuries.

The moment she saw me, she pulled me into a tight hug, her hot tears falling on my face.

I could feel her pain.

"Alright, don't scare the child," the old woman beside her comforted.

From then on, Claire settled down with me in the village. Life was simple and hard, but warm and peaceful.

Time flew, and I turned five.

Claire became the village's only teacher, and everyone was kind to us.

Every day, I followed her to school, sitting at the back of the classroom listening to her lessons.

After school, she'd hold my hand, and we'd walk home slowly.

"Mommy, can I have some candy?" I pointed at the small shop nearby.

"No, you already have cavities. I need to take you to get them pulled." They say motherhood makes you strong, and Claire had certainly become tough.

Just as I thought life would continue peacefully, my mother brought home an eight-year-old boy.

They say you never pick up a man—at best, you get a Fu Shenxing; at worst, a Li Chengyong.

Even though he was just a kid, I was still scared.

"Mommy, what if he has ulterior motives?" I pointed at Victor, who reeked of sweat.

My mother patted my head disapprovingly. "Don't talk nonsense."

Seeing she didn't believe me, I glared at Victor.

"I'm sorry for causing trouble. I'll leave now," he said, playing the victim. My mother started lecturing me again.

I refused to acknowledge Victor, but he silently followed me around.

Having a ghost-like shadow was truly unbearable.

A few days later, Victor left. Before I could catch my breath, Sebastian appeared in the village.

When he showed up in his suit, I felt an unprecedented pressure.

He didn't like me—I knew that well.

To coax Claire into returning, he hid the coldness in his eyes and gently patted my head.

"Yvonne, I'm your father."

Sebastian treated me like a three-year-old, and I played along.

I tilted my head, smiling innocently. "But Mommy said Daddy is dead, and the grass on his grave is really tall."

Sebastian's face darkened instantly.

"Boo-hoo, you're scary. I don't want to see you." I ran into Claire's arms, pretending to be frightened.

After Claire drove Sebastian away, she cautiously asked if I missed my father.

"No, I like our life now." I hugged my mother's neck, acting cute.

I could never like someone like Sebastian—a lawless tyrant who took whatever he wanted.

Sebastian didn't act for a while. Just as Claire let her guard down, I was kidnapped.

"You'll see the missus soon, miss," the bodyguard said, tying me up in the car.

I knew Sebastian was despicable, but I didn't think he'd stoop to kidnapping me.

Five years later, back at the Ashford estate, the old housekeeper held me lovingly, while Victor, the traitor, stood nearby.

Furious, I kicked Victor.

"You're such a snake! My mother was so good to you, and this is how you repay her?"

"I'm sorry," he said, his tone sincere but his words cold.

From the housekeeper, I learned that Victor had become Sebastian's adopted son two years ago.

Sebastian and my mother hadn't arrived yet.

To rebel, I trashed the house. Everyone looked at me strangely.

Sebastian was a chauvinist who couldn't stand anyone challenging his authority.

A few days later, my mother was brought back by Sebastian.

The moment she saw me, she rushed over and hugged me, her face haggard with worry.

"Mommy, he kidnapped me. I didn't run away." Before she could scold me, I pointed at Sebastian, who was getting out of the car, and poured out my grievances.

Sebastian walked over, looking me up and down with disdain. "All you do is tattle."

"You're a rotten cabbage who doesn't deserve my mother." Since we were already at odds, why pretend to be a loving father and daughter?

My words hit a nerve. Sebastian grabbed me and stormed toward the study, ignoring my mother's protests.

"Yvonne, I'm your father. What kind of behavior is this?" He sat with his legs crossed, looking down on me.

I turned away, refusing to speak.

"Answer me." He grabbed my chin, his gaze sharp.

Unable to break free, I bit his hand until I tasted blood.

Sebastian's face darkened. I saw the fury in his eyes.

We stayed silent in the study until my mother opened the door with a spare key.

"Yvonne, are you okay?" She checked me over, afraid Sebastian had hurt me.

Seeing her focus entirely on me, Sebastian's eyes reddened with jealousy.

"Mrs. Harrington, take her to her room. No food until she repents."

"Sebastian, don't you dare!" Claire was no longer weak. She shielded me, her eyes firm.

Sebastian resented me even more for Claire's favoritism.

At dinner, Claire only served me, ignoring Sebastian completely. I could tell she no longer had any feelings for him.

Watching Sebastian's frustration made the meal strangely satisfying.

Just then, the housekeeper announced Vivian's arrival. Sebastian still hadn't discovered she wasn't his savior.

"Claire, you're really alive! I'm so glad you're back." Vivian grabbed my mother's hand, pretending to care.

Rolling my eyes at Sebastian, I felt even more certain he didn't deserve my mother.

"Mommy, I'm full. Let's go for a walk." I jumped off my chair and pulled her away.

In the garden, I asked if she wanted to leave.

"Yes, but Sebastian is ruthless. I'm afraid he'll hurt you." Claire looked lost, knowing she couldn't beat him but unwilling to reconcile.

My chest tightened. I had become his leverage against her.

As my mother took me for a nap, I placed a dung beetle I'd caught on Vivian. She screamed in horror.

After what she did to me as a newborn, I wouldn't let her off easily.

Vivian stormed off, and Victor, watching from a corner, gave me a long look before leaving.

I wasn't smart, but if anyone could bring down Sebastian, it might be Victor.

Victor wasn't in the original story. Given Sebastian's habit of making enemies, the two probably had a grudge.

From that day on, I started observing Victor. He was respectful to Sebastian, but something felt off.

At the training ground, I handed him a bottle of yogurt.

"Brother Victor," I called, making him choke.

"Miss, you don't have to call me that. If not for Mr. Harrington, I wouldn't be alive." Victor was polite but distant.

I waved it off. "You're his adopted son, so you deserve the title."

Through my deliberate efforts, Victor and I grew closer.

He was the hardest worker at the training ground, often practicing until late at night.

Seeing his injuries, even though he had secrets, I no longer hated him as much.

After my mother returned, Sebastian threw a lavish wedding. Everyone was celebrating, but my mother was miserable all night.

"Mommy, don't worry. One day, I'll make him pay for hurting you." I patted her back, hoping she'd stay strong.

Fate followed the book's plot, but Claire's attitude showed she'd never love Sebastian again.

After the wedding, Sebastian, unable to bear Claire's indifference, started scandals to make her jealous.

"Claire, how long are you going to be stubborn?" At dinner, he kicked over a chair, his eyes red.

His rage scared me. Before I could call for my mother to run, he locked me in a room. No matter how I cried, no one dared to help.

When I was let out, Sebastian had already hurt my mother.

Crying, I begged her to leave. But she held me close, her voice hoarse. "If I lose you too, what's the point of living?"

"I'm sorry." I sobbed with guilt. If not for me, she wouldn't be trapped again.

"Yvonne, it's not your fault. It was my choice."

After that, they lived in awkward tension until my mother became pregnant.

When the pregnancy test came out, Sebastian wanted to announce it to the world.

Knowing he'd switched her medication, Claire insisted on aborting, unmoved by his pleas.

"Mommy, don't you want them?" I knew she did, especially since it was twins. But she was afraid I'd feel neglected.

She hesitated, then said, "You're more important than anything."

Since aborting twins would harm her health, I chose to accept them.

Sebastian couldn't accept Claire's decision, but I easily convinced her to keep the babies.

During this pregnancy, Sebastian was extra attentive, always saying he wanted a little princess.

Victor, worried I'd be upset, gave me lots of snacks.

"Don't be sad," he said, his cold exterior showing a hint of warmth.

I swung my feet, eating as I replied, "I'm not sad. Mommy promised to love me most. I don't like Sebastian, so why would I want his love?"

To Sebastian, I was just a means to save Vivian. We were never meant to have a father-daughter bond.

Just before my mother gave birth, Vivian made her move.

She had me kidnapped, vowing to make Claire regret it.

I was tied up in a dark room. Vivian, driven mad by unrequited love, was beyond reason.

"Because of you two, Sebastian wants to cut ties with me. You deserve to die." She held a knife to my face, ready to tear me apart.

Faced with a lunatic, I chose silence.

After two days, Sebastian finally came. The idiot thought he could charm Vivian into letting me go.

"Vivian, put down the knife, and I won't hold this against you."

I knew I meant nothing to him. He just feared Claire would do something drastic if I died.

Sebastian's presence only agitated Vivian more. Just as I thought I was done for, Victor intervened.

He knocked the knife out of her hand with a stone. I bit her and ran behind Victor.

After Vivian was caught, Sebastian, citing her past kindness, decided not to press charges.

He could play the saint, but I wouldn't let it slide. Did he think I'd just accept his fake gratitude?

At the hospital, I showed my mother the wound on my neck. "Mommy, that witch hurt me."

Claire, who was about to give birth, was heartbroken. "Yvonne, I'm so sorry."

Sebastian, annoyed that Claire only cared about me, snorted. "Yvonne, if you hadn't been careless, none of this would have happened."

He'd conveniently forgotten that Vivian's madness was his fault for stringing her along.

"If your crazy ex weren't a lunatic, would I have been kidnapped?"

I turned to my mother and tattled. "Mommy, he let that witch go. What if she kidnaps me again?"

Claire was stunned, then laughed bitterly. "Sebastian, because of her, you've hurt Yvonne twice. If you still have feelings for her, don't bother me."

"Claire, she saved me. I can't be ungrateful." Sebastian grabbed her hand, looking pained.

I laughed at his dilemma.

"Claire, get some rest." Humiliated, Sebastian tried to take me away.

"Stay away from me. Your stupidity might rub off." I clung to my mother.

"Yvonne."

"It's the truth. My mother saved you, but you mistook someone else. How dumb is that?"

Sebastian's face went pale. "How is that possible?"

"Why not? Go ask that witch if I'm lying."

After he left, I asked Claire, "Mommy, will you forgive him now?"

She thought for a moment and sighed. "No. I just feel sorry for him."

Claire stayed in the hospital for a week before giving birth to twins. I watched the two little monkeys grab my fingers, feeling a strange emotion.

I always told others I wasn't sad, but deep down, I was scared—scared Claire might love them more.

Now, as they held my fingers, that fear vanished. Just like Claire said, I had two more people to love me.

Time passed, and the twins, Harvey and Hannah, turned five.

"Sis, I want you to take me to kindergarten." Hannah packed a bag of snacks, insisting I walk her to school.

She had Claire's big eyes, and one blink was enough to melt anyone's heart.

I ruffled her hair and agreed.

Harvey was more reserved. Though quiet, I could tell he was happy too.

"Hannah, let Daddy take you," Sebastian said, pretending to be hurt that his favorite princess didn't choose him.

But Hannah wasn't fooled. She hugged my leg tightly, refusing to let him take her.

Seeing Sebastian's defeat, I was thrilled.

Five years ago, when Sebastian learned the truth, he was furious at Vivian for deceiving him. He disfigured her, sold her off, and bankrupted her family.

After the twins were born, Sebastian played favorites—doting on Hannah but being harsh on Harvey, claiming he was "toughening him up."

A five-year-old adorable boy being raised like a brainless Sebastian? I couldn't let that happen.

"Sis, why don't you call him Dad?" Harvey asked at the kindergarten gate.

"Harvey, he's only your father. We share blood, but I don't want to acknowledge him." I didn't want to lie to him.

Harvey motioned for me to crouch down, then gave me a hug. "That's okay. I love you the most anyway."

Hearing his childish voice say he loved me, my heart ached. This child had been overlooked since birth. Claire favored me, and Sebastian only loved Hannah, who looked like Claire.

So I'd always been the one by his side, watching him learn to walk and talk. Even when everyone ignored him, he never complained. He was so well-behaved it hurt.

After Harvey went inside, I looked at Victor in the distance and suddenly wished he'd destroy Sebastian.

I didn't know what grudge he held, but after years of observation, I was sure Victor had a hidden agenda.

"You're really good to Harvey," Victor said in the car.

"What can I say? I raised him myself. Besides, our Harvey is such a good kid."

Victor looked at me and asked, "Do you like boys like Harvey?"

Without thinking, I replied, "Of course. Who doesn't like adorable kids?"

Sensing something off, I tried to speak, but Victor was already cold and distant again. I didn't bother.

From that day on, Victor started avoiding me.

I looked for him countless times, but he always used work as an excuse. It was exhausting.

"Victor, can you tell me what I did wrong?" I cornered him at the middle school.

He stared at me for a long time before muttering, "You haven't called me 'brother' in a long time."

"That's it?" I was about to curse, but seeing his expression, I stopped.

I rubbed my nose awkwardly. "Well, we're older now. Calling you 'brother' is embarrassing."

"Don't overthink it. I see you as a real brother. You're way more important than that jerk Sebastian."

I thought my explanation would help, but Victor's face darkened even more.

"Miss, you should go. I have class." He gritted out the word "miss" before storming off.

Teenagers were unpredictable. I figured he'd get over it in a couple of years.

But even when Victor started college, he was still cold. Every time I brought it up, he'd sulk like I'd committed a crime.

On the day of my college entrance exam, Victor, who'd already graduated early, was waiting outside.

"Come on, everyone's waiting." He took my bag and led me away.

Looking at the handsome Victor, I teased, "When are you bringing your girlfriend to meet us?"

I'd found out he liked someone when I saw a drawing of a girl's back while helping him pack. I'd begged him to tell me who it was, but he never did.

"Tomorrow," he replied coldly.

Excited, I grabbed his hand. "You promise?"

Victor finally smiled. "I promise. Just don't run away."

At the family dinner, my mother handed me a bouquet and gently touched my head. "My Yvonne is all grown up. How wonderful."

"Even as an adult, I'm still your child." I linked arms with Claire, leaning on her shoulder.

Noticing Sebastian's sour face, I helped Claire sit down and sat beside her.

Hannah was on Claire's other side. Sebastian couldn't bear to make her move, so he reluctantly sat across from Claire.

We were chatting happily when Sebastian dropped a bombshell.

"Claire, since she's done with exams, I think we should use our connections to send her abroad for business management. In a few years, she can take over the Harrington Group."

I knew what he was up to. Taking over the company was just an excuse to get me away from Claire.

"Who said I want to take over the company? I love photography. I want to be a photographer and take pictures of monkeys on Mount Everest."

"Besides, are you really willing to hand over the company to me? Aren't you afraid I'll stage a coup and kick you out?"

"Yvonne!" Sebastian's veins bulged.

"Yvonne should do what she loves. Don't compromise for people who don't matter," my mother said, putting food on my plate.

For over a decade, Sebastian had tried to compete with me for Claire's attention, but he never won.

The favored child had nothing to fear. No matter how much Sebastian badmouthed me, I was always the best in Claire's eyes.

The next day, I went to Victor's apartment early, curious about the girl he liked.

"Follow me." He led me to a room.

"Go in. You'll find your answer." Seeing how serious he was, I had a feeling.

Inside, I looked at the sketchbook on the table and opened it.

Seeing drawings of me at every age, I felt a chill. Was Victor some kind of creep?

Victor, noticing my silence, finally spoke. "Yvonne, say something."

"Victor, when did you start liking me?"

"Eighth grade."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Eighth grade was understandable—just teenage hormones.

We'd grown up together. In a world full of domineering CEOs, Victor was one of the few normal people.

"Victor, do you like me?"

"Yes."

"If you can promise me two things, we can try dating." I cleared my throat and laid out my terms.

"First: No cheesy CEO lines."

"What?" Victor looked confused.

"You know, like Sebastian's 'If she dies, you'll all be buried with her' nonsense."

"And 'You're the only man in my eyes'—stuff like that. Just use Sebastian as a reference. He's a minefield."

"Second: Be a law-abiding citizen. Again, use Sebastian as a reference."

Victor looked like he'd swallowed a fly.

After we got together, Victor started working at the Harrington Group. His talent and decisiveness quickly made him Sebastian's right-hand man.

I had a feeling he was about to strike back.

"Victor, what grudge do you have against Sebastian?" I asked over hotpot.

"Don't deny it. Even though you act loyal, I can tell you hate him as much as I do. A woman's intuition is never wrong."

Victor put down his chopsticks and told me his story.

"Because of Vivian, he pulled funding from my father's project. My dad couldn't pay the contractors and jumped off a building."

"My mother died early. He didn't mistreat me, but he never cared. Sebastian has to pay for his mistakes." Victor looked at me with a bitter smile.

Remembering all the novels I'd read, his smile scared me.

"Um... maybe we should break up?" I said hesitantly.

"Why?" Victor choked.

"I'm afraid you'll resent me for being his daughter. Even if I don't acknowledge him, the blood ties are there."

I'd read too many romance novels. Falling for your enemy's daughter—that was a recipe for disaster. I didn't want to end up in some angsty mess.

"Yvonne, where is your head? If I wanted to use you, I wouldn't have told you the truth." Victor looked helpless.

"I admit I thought about using you against him, but you hate him more than I do. So don't worry. Even if I succeed, I'll just be working for you."

Hearing his sincerity, I dropped the breakup talk.

So what if he had ulterior motives? At worst, we'd go back to our simple life. Only by taking down Sebastian could my mother be free.

For their 13th wedding anniversary, Sebastian threw a party.

He forced my mother to play the happy couple.

"Look at him. Even though he has her, he'll never have her heart." I gritted my teeth, watching Sebastian preen on the dance floor.

"Yvonne, you've hinted at that three times today. Do I really seem that unreliable?"

I laughed awkwardly and shut up.

Just as I left the dance floor to find my mother, Vivian, disguised, slipped up to Sebastian and stabbed him in the abdomen.

Sebastian kicked her away despite the pain.

Vivian tore off her mask, revealing her hideous face. The guests recoiled in horror. Sebastian had truly been ruthless.

"Haha, Sebastian, you never thought you'd fall into my trap, did you?" Vivian laughed, her face even more terrifying. Children started crying.

Hannah trembled in my mother's arms. I covered Harvey's eyes, afraid he'd be traumatized. "It's okay. I'm here."

"Sis, I'm not scared." Seeing he was fine, I relaxed.

Little did I know, this incident would make Harvey so wary of relationships that he didn't marry until he was thirty.

After Vivian was dragged away, Sebastian collapsed from blood loss.

The injury was severe. He was in a coma for a month. To buy Victor time, I secretly added sleeping pills to Sebastian's food for two weeks.

During his hospitalization, my mother visited once. The only one who cried for him was Hannah.

Victor, seizing the chaos at the Harrington Group, slowly took control. With my mother's status as the CEO's wife, the old shareholders couldn't interfere.

Sebastian truly loved Claire, but his love was suffocating and shameless. No matter how he tried to make amends, the scars would never heal.

After leaving the hospital, Sebastian's health declined. The injury left lasting effects. His sins had finally caught up with him.

When he learned that my mother held most of the Harrington Group shares, he wasn't as devastated as expected. Instead, he hoped this would win her forgiveness.

"Yvonne doesn't want the shares, so I split them between Harvey and Hannah. They're your children too, so this isn't compensation." In the study, my mother spoke to Sebastian calmly for the first time.

"Sebastian, I've lived in the cage you built for years, unable to do anything—like a caged bird. Let's get a divorce."

"Claire, do you even have a heart? I've spent over a decade trying to please you. Can't you see that?" Sebastian sat in his wheelchair, looking defeated.

"Sebastian, do you believe in past lives?"

Hearing this from outside the door, I broke out in a cold sweat. Could it be...

"When Yvonne had pneumonia, I had a long dream. In it, she died right after birth. I lost the will to live and jumped into a river. But fate brought me back to you."

The study fell silent before Claire continued. "When I saw myself in the dream slowly forgetting Yvonne's death and reconciling with you, I wanted to slap myself. If Yvonne knew, how heartbroken would she be?

"So I've tried my best to be good to her. In my heart, you'll never compare to her."

No wonder this world's Claire was so determined. No matter how good Sebastian was, she never wavered.

"But she didn't die! You can't blame me for a dream. That's not fair." Sebastian refused to accept her reasoning.

"Sebastian, be honest. Did you ever love Yvonne, even for a second?"

Sebastian was speechless.

"You didn't. She was born only because of Vivian's illness. You cut her out of me at seven months. To you, she was always expendable. You started this disaster. How can you ask me to forgive you?"

After their fight, Sebastian refused to divorce. The next day, my mother moved out.

The big house fell silent, devoid of laughter. Sebastian clung to the marriage certificate, truly alone.

Victor, wanting to start his own company, hired professional managers to run the Harrington Group until Harvey was ready.

I packed my bags and started college.

After I left, my mother opened a flower shop. Harvey and Hannah lived with her, occasionally visiting Sebastian.

Sebastian no longer begged for forgiveness, but he went to the flower shop every day, from morning till night, buying a bouquet before going home. He never missed a day.

At first, my mother tried to drive him away. Later, she treated him like any other customer, which hurt him more.

He knew better than anyone that indifference hurt more than arguments.

Victor's small company started turning a profit. I was worried he'd become like Sebastian, but he stayed grounded.

Four years of college flew by. Victor wanted to marry me after graduation, but I refused. We still needed time.

Just as I was job hunting, Claire called, asking me to visit.

At the airport, I saw her waiting.

"Mom, why are you here?" I noticed her red-rimmed eyes and thought she just missed me.

"I couldn't wait to see you." She looked me over, as if she couldn't get enough.

I pushed my suitcase, linking arms with her. "How are the twins?"

"They're fine."

"Mom, you seem off today."

"Do I?" Her voice trembled, though she probably didn't notice.

I studied her quietly as we chatted.

That night, Claire came to my room with a pillow, saying she wanted to sleep with me.

Her cautious demeanor confirmed my suspicion—she wasn't my mother.

I grabbed her wrist. "You're not my mom."

Startled, she quickly explained, "Child, I am Claire, just from another world."

Another world? Was this some kind of parallel universe?

"In my world, you died at birth. I wanted to die, but Sebastian found me. He hired a hypnotist to erase my painful memories. He kept hypnotizing me, so I forgave him and had more children."

So this was the Claire from the original book—the one who forgave Sebastian.

She touched my face, smiling brightly. "I never thought I'd see you again. Your mother in this world is brave and happy."

"Don't blame yourself. The Yvonne in your world would forgive you." It was all Sebastian's selfishness.

"Yvonne, I'm sorry." She hugged me, crying.

I wanted to comfort her, but she was too heartbroken.

This Claire stayed for three days.

To make sure she had no regrets, I took her everywhere she wanted to go and fed her everything she wanted to eat.

"Yvonne, thank you." At a bakery, she said this before disappearing completely.

"Goodbye," I whispered to the air.

Now that the book's Claire had awakened, I believed she'd make the right choice. She was never a lovesick fool—she was clear-headed and brave.

Two years later, Victor and I got married.

At the wedding, my mother handed me over to Victor. It wasn't traditional, but she was happy.

In those two years, Sebastian developed severe delusions. According to his psychiatrist, he'd imagined a version of Claire and lived in a daze. No one dared go near him.

After Harvey took over the Harrington Group, he confined Sebastian to the old mansion with a caretaker.

Hannah, seeing Sebastian's misery, wanted to plead for him. But when she learned about the forced C-section, she said nothing.

Even she knew some things were unforgivable.

Everyone moved on with their lives. Only Sebastian remained trapped in the past.

(The End)